PURPOSE OF THE ROLE:

- The Head Metallurgy is responsible for Strategic leadership, Corporate governance, and Technology roadmapping for Metallurgy, Material characterization, and special processes (heat treatment, surface enhancement).

- This role serves as the enterprise-wide ultimate technical authority, driving R&D, advanced material adoption (superalloys, titanium, composites), global OEM approvals, and comprehensive regulatory/compliance frameworks (NADCAP, AS9100, IATF 16949).

- The role holder ensures absolute alignment between Metallurgical capabilities and Business growth strategies for Automotive, Aerospace, and Defence sectors, mitigating enterprise-level material risks and spearheading technological innovation.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES AND ACCOUNTABILITIES OF THE ROLE:

- Formulate and execute the long-term material science and technology roadmap aligning with future automotive (EV, lightweighting, ADAS) and aerospace trends.

- Oversee enterprise-wide heat treatment, surface enhancement, and specialized metallurgical processes, establishing global quality benchmarks and ensuring multi-site compliance.

- Partner with global OEMs and R&D/NPI teams to champion the Introduction of cutting-edge materials, advanced alloys, superalloys, and advanced thermal processing technologies.

- Drive and maintain zero-defect compliance for NADCAP, AS9100, and IATF 16949/CQI-9 across all plants, leading major external audits and defending engineering frameworks before tier-1 aerospace/auto OEMs.

- Establish strategic frameworks for metallurgical vetting and continuous qualification of global steel mills, forge shops, foundries, and special process sub-contractors, minimizing raw material risks.

- Direct CAPEX and OPEX strategies for corporate Metallurgical laboratories, expanding testing capabilities (e.g., advanced SEM/EDS, XRD, fatigue testing) and fostering academic/institutional collaborations.

- Cultivate a high-performing team of metallurgists, providing mentorship to the Lead Metallurgy, establishing corporate standard operating procedures (SOPs), and driving technical competency across the organization.

FINANCIAL ACCOUNTABILITY & GEOGRAPHICAL SCOPE:

- Financial Accountability (with exclusive authority): Full CAPEX & OPEX budget ownership for corporate metallurgy laboratories and special process validation.

- Authorizing authority for Global raw material selection and vendor clearances valued across major contracts.

- Geographical Scope: Corporate oversight across Engineering units including Bangalore, greenfield expansion projects, and global supplier/customer interactions.

KNOWLEDGE, EXPERIENCE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

- Education Qualification: B.E. and M.Tech in Metallurgy or Materials Engineering. Ph.D. in Metallurgy or Materials Engineering is highly preferred.

- NANDTB NADCAP Level 3 & NAS 410 certified.

Technical & Professional Knowledge:

- Advanced Material Science & Engineering: Deep mastery of Ferrous/non-ferrous microstructures, advanced alloys, superalloys, titanium, and specialized surface coatings, and CNC and VMC machine quality.

- Global Standards & Auditing: Comprehensive expertise in NADCAP (AC7101, AC7102), Aerospace Material Specifications (AMS), ASTM, AS9100, and Automotive Quality Standards (IATF 16949, CQI-9).

- Advanced Forensics & Analytics: Mastery in advanced Metallurgical failure analysis, structural simulation tools, and material selection for high-stress aerospace and EV applications.

Experience:

- 15- 20 years of industrial experience in Metallurgy and Material science within a Tier-1 Automotive manufacturing environment, with at least 5 years in a Senior Leadership/Head capacity.

- Proven track record of managing multi-site Metallurgical operations, leading successful NADCAP/OEM certifications, and interacting with Global Automotive customer technical teams.

Personal Attributes:

1. Strategic Vision & Long-term Planning

2. Advanced Problem Solving & Executive Decision-Making

3. High Emotional Intelligence & Conflict Resolution

4. Cross-Functional Influencing & Mentorship Capabilities

Domain/ Functional skills required:

- Manufacturing Industry - Auto component / Aerospace component industry.